Daniel M. “Boo” Bukowski

Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts, it is with great sadness that the family of Daniel M. Bukowski announces his sudden unexpected passing on Friday, July 11, 2025.

Danny, age 72, was born in Erie on February 27, 1953, the son of the late Mary and Leo Bukowski. He was a very proud alumnus of Cathedral Prep High School where he excelled in Boys Basketball, where in 1971 his team was named the PCIAA Pennsylvania Basketball Champions and he still holds the highest honor of being the fourth leading basketball scorer in Prep history. It is at that time that his nickname Danny Boo became his legacy name. He then attended a full athletic scholarship to achieve his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Mercyhurst University. He achieved a highly successful basketball career and was very proud to have served on the first Mens Basketball Team where he holds the honor of being the first student to sign a full scholarship. He culminated his higher education goals by attaining a Masters in Vocational Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Danny met his wife Kathleen Jurkiewicz Bukowski of 44 years of marriage in their senior year of high school where she was elected at St. Benedict Academy to compete in the Prep Homecoming Queen contest and he was elected as basketball Captain to serve as her escort. Their love story began and remained throughout their years at Mercyhurst University where she proudly was his Cheerleader. They remained supporting each other after attaining further degrees and advancing their careers. They married in 1981 and he will always be the “love of her life.” Danny spent the first half of his career in Hotel/Restaurant Management with the Holiday Inns of Erie, Manager of the University Club of Erie, Manager of the Laker Inn of Erie, and an Employment Counselor at GECAC. The next 23 years he would find such personal fulfillment as a teacher at Central High School where he redesigned the Culinary Arts Program. So many of his graduates attended post-secondary training and gained meaningful jobs on the industry. To this day he was affectionately known as “Mr. B” to his students.

His most meaningful role in addition to being a husband, was being the proud father of his twin sons Justin and Jordan Bukowski. There was no greater role model for how to be a dedicated and loving father in their lives, and the lessons he taught them that will remain in their hearts and minds forever. He was a wonderful father-in-law to Jordan’s wife, Elena Bukowski, whom he loved so much. The captstone thrill of his life was the birth of his granddaughter, Emelina, and the time he spent being “Bubby Boo.”

Danny was a very caring, charismatic and genuinely loyal man to his friends, who so many remained lifelong friendships in his life. He cherished those relationships! He enjoyed spending time at his “Happy Place” throughout his life, which is his Hunting Camp that he loved so much and remodeled and redesigned in his retirement; most especially with his sons who now call it their Happy Place as well.

He is further survived by family members: brother Gary Bukowski (Roberta), sister Linda Lipchik (Daniel), brothers and sisters-in-law David Jurkiewicz (Ruth), Gregory Jurkiewicz (Christine), and many nieces and nephews whom he cherished. He was preceded in death by his sister Darlene Bukowski and brother and sister-in-law Brian and Marcie Jurkiewicz.

Friends may call at the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. 4216 Sterrettania Rd. on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 from 3 pm until 7 pm and are invited there for prayers on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at 12:15 pm followed by a Funeral Mass at St. George R.C. Church, 5145 Peach Street, Erie, PA 16509 at 1 pm. Private interment.

Memorials may be made to Cathedral Prep Boys Basketball Program, 250 West 10th St., Erie, PA, 16501 and Mercyhurst University Mens Basketball Program 501 East 38th St., Erie, PA., 16546.